Road Closure Info

Mark your calendar – Saturday, October 21 – the running of the 17th Annual Baltimore Running Festival. We hope you look forward to this day with a sense of pride, as the Baltimore community will once again be on display for runners from around the country and the world to see.

You have not disappointed in the first 16 years of the event. The runners greatly appreciate the enthusiasm you have shown as they pass through your neighborhoods – the cheering, the candy and fruit, the colorful balloons, the cool mist from a garden hose – all great gestures that make this event so wonderful.

We understand the race impacts your routine for a few hours on a fall Saturday, but we’d like to share with you the positives aspects of the race of which you may not be aware. Did you know that last year $39 million was pumped into the Baltimore economy as a result of the race? Did you know that the Festival has also generated more than $8.7 million for charity? Local charities such as Sadie’s Gift, Cool Kids Campaign and the Helping Up Mission, to name a few, have all benefited from the event.

As we make plans for this year’s race, we would welcome any input from you so that the event has a positive impact on your community.

Thank you!

Please use the interactive map below to view road closures and times.

RUNNERS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

The chart below gives the times marathon and half-marathon runners should be in your neighborhood. If you live on Mile 17, you could expect to see the first runner arrive at 8:25 AM and the last runner to pass at 11:47 PM (times are approximate).

Celebration Village Finish Line Party- Watch the racers finish and enjoy live music, interactive games, food and drink. All Village activities are FREE & open to the public.

10a – 12p @ West Shore Park in Inner Harbor

The Awards Ceremony will take place on center stage located in the Celebration Village.

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

WAYS TO GET INVOLVED IN THE BALTIMORE RUNNING FESTIVAL–A GREAT COMMUNITY EVENT

BGE Home Celebration Village We encourage the Baltimore community to make a “party” out of the day. Join us in the Celebration Village on race day, Saturday, October 21 where we will have live music from 8 AM to 2 PM, interactive games, food and drink. The Village is FREE and open to the public. Come on down to the Village to cheer your family, friends and neighbors as they cross the finish line. The Awards Ceremony will take place on center stage located in the Village.

VolunteerThe Festival needs about 1,000 volunteers to support the racers. If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help with the 9th Annual Baltimore Running Festival, it is not too late to sign up.

Volunteers are needed at the Health & Fitness Expo for Packet Pick-Up as well as on race day for a number of different duties. Your support is great appreciated.

We have established an online registration form for all volunteers and encourage you to be a part of this great community event. To access this site visit the Volunteer Link.

SUPPORT THE EVENT FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Host a Marathon Yard Party At Home- If you can’t make it to the Celebration Village, here are some suggestions for hosting a marathon party at your house:

Lawn decorations including signs, balloons and banners.

Play music from a radio.

Knock the cobwebs off the trumpet, sax or drum set and make some noise.

Create a party cheer to yell as the runners pass.

Coordinate a team wave.

Fire-up the barbecue and invite the neighbors

Unofficial Water Stops
One way to show support for the marathon is to set up an “Unofficial Water Stop” in your neighborhood.

Your “unofficial water stop” does not need to provide water … other suggestions include candy, sliced fruit and granola bars. You’ll be surprised by the smiles and appreciation you’ll receive from the runners.

CHEER WORDS

Here are some words of encouragement to offer runners as they pass your Cheering Section onsite or at home:

“Way to Run”

“Awesome”

“Looking Strong”

“Looking Good”

“Enjoy Baltimore”

“You Can Do It”

“You’re Flying”

“Keep it Up”

NOTE: Unless you are at the Stadium near the finish line, please DO NOT cheer “Almost there”, “Not far to go” etc. After running 26 miles, “almost there” is a few hundred feet from the finish line.